I’m sharing a story with you that is different from what I normally write about, but it is very important. The posts I normally write are about technology, marketing, and personal development. This story is about technology and the power that it has for bringing about good in the world.
Last night we were watching another excellent episode in a series on the History Channel called, “Mankind, the story of all of us.” The series illustrates advances and setbacks that humans have made through the centuries. I highly recommend you -check it out.
This particular episode featured an incident in the life of a British missionary named Alice Harris who was serving in what was the Belgian Congo in the early 20th Century. The story talked about a native Belgium Congo man, Nsala Wala, who was very sadly coming to her with a package. ??In that package he carried the hand and foot of his 5 year-old daughter who had been mutilated and killed, along with his wife, by the Belgium Force Publique. These were the rulers of the area who forced natives to plant and harvest rubber working under the direction of Belgian King Leopold.
Wala asked Alice Harris if there was anything she could do to help. Alice was a tech-savvy woman, even for that time. The photo you see was taken in May 1904 after Wala came to her mission in Baringa. Alice believed that a photo, shared the right way, could bring about results.
Alice Harris was right.
She sent the photo back to England with the statement, “The photograph is most telling, and as a slide will rouse any audience to an outburst of rage.” Of course, the predictable denials came saying that this was just the actions of one bad person and people shouldn’t get upset.
Alice then took many additional photos of young children whose hands had been cut off. It was common practice at that time to sever body parts to scare others into submission. She also got photos showing the abhorrent practice of using a chicotte (a whip made from hippopotamus hide) used on laborers and young females who were held as slaves and forced to work in terrible conditions.
Eventually, publications around the world started publishing these photos and stories of the atrocities that were taking place in the Belgian Congo. As a result of the exposure, King Leopold II of Belgium ended up relinquishing control to the Belgium State in 1908.
I encourage you to do your own research to learn more of the details of how these photographs literally saved the lives of many and changed the world for millions of innocent people
Now, fast-forward to today. We are seeing the use of photos and videos become ubiquitous in society. Just as in Alice Harris’ day, when atrocities are committed, we have the means by which to end them with the right evidence.
I found it interesting in doing my research for this article, that King Leopold scoffed at the first photos saying that Alice, being a Protestant, was doing this only because she was against him being Catholic. Others said it was not common, but an aberration. Alice Harris’ strategy was then to get more evidence (more photos) of what was happening. Eventually, she had enough evidence and had sent enough photos to news outlets around the world, that change had to take place.
Today, we have an opportunity, as never before in history, to get truth to the world about the injustices and atrocities we see. One person can make a difference today, equipped with only a smartphone, good Internet connections, and (this final one being the most important) the knowledge of how to connect evidence with the right people.
I usually write about business, marketing, technology and other more “upbeat” topics. I hesitated writing this thinking of any backlash that might occur. However, I believe, and you might be one of many who agree, that we are at a point where society could take a turn for the worst. I see we have an opportunity to embrace the best and stop violence in the most effective way possible.
In both guns and photography the term “shoot” is used. If you shoot a video or photograph you have the power to create a compelling message that is far more powerful than any gun. “The pen is mightier than the sword” has been said throughout time. I would have to agree with that statement. I would also amend it slightly for our time saying, “Technology, deployed properly, can change the world.”
We stand in awe of, and have the deepest gratitude for, Alice Harris and what she did. Her actions inspire us and give us the courage to expose what needs to be exposed. We’ll see her black & white photos of the early 20th Century and raise the stakes to a new level with color photos, videos and more.
Thank you, Alice Harris, for what you did. Your innovation, creativity, compassion, and tenacity inspire all who know your story.
And thank you for reading this article. Please pass this along on your Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin connections to help others spread this important story. We can make a difference today. Get the right tools and learn how to use them for business, for personal reasons and to make a difference in the world. You never know when today’s version of Nsala Wala might need your help.
Terry
Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE
www.TerryBrock.com
Connect with me on Social Media
Twitter – @TerryBrock,
Facebook – www.facebook.com/MarketerTerryBrock
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/marketerterrybrock/
Business-Building Videos- http://www.youtube.com/terrylbrock
